Peg Kehret

Kehret explores the resilience of young protagonists navigating challenging circumstances, drawing inspiration from her own experience with polio at age twelve. Her narratives often delve into themes of courage and empathy, featuring characters who, like she once was, are in the throes of adolescence. Peg Kehret writes middle grade fiction and nonfiction, creating stories that resonate deeply with young readers. A volunteer with animal rescue groups, she infuses her works with a compassionate understanding of animals, sometimes collaborating with Pete the Cat as a co-author on three books.\n\nHer distinctive style, characterized by adventurous plots and relatable characters, has earned her dozens of state children's choice awards, highlighting her ability to connect with her audience through both fiction and nonfiction. Readers benefit from Kehret's work as it encourages them to embrace empathy and courage, offering them narratives that are both engaging and enlightening. By choosing protagonists who mirror the age she was when her life was irrevocably changed, Kehret ensures that her books serve as both a source of entertainment and a mirror of resilience for middle grade readers.\n\nKehret’s commitment to writing for children has a significant impact on young readers, fostering a love of reading while promoting important social and personal values. Her focus on protagonists who demonstrate resilience and kindness makes her books particularly beneficial for children navigating their own life's challenges. By winning numerous state children's choice awards, where young readers themselves vote for their favorite book, Kehret’s work has proven to have a lasting impact on her audience. This focus on storytelling that is both entertaining and inspiring underscores her enduring popularity and influence in the realm of children's literature.